Fallout from Sderot rocket attack
Fallout from Sderot rocket attackIsrael news photo: Sderot Media Center

The Cabinet has approved a benefits-and-assistance program for the residents of Sderot and the communities adjacent to Gaza to the tune of some NIS 184 million ($51.83 million). Much of the aid will not be in the form of direct aid, but rather in tax credits, discounts and the like. 

The government announced that the aid is geared at "strengthening the resilience of the area's residents," as well as the local economy and administration, and will also prop up social services.

"Our policy is to protect our citizens from terrorism, rocket fire and all kinds of other hostile activity from the Gaza Strip," said Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.  "We will continue to aid the residents of the area.  Hamas and the other terrorist organizations should know that while we are not looking for escalation, neither do we fear it. Those who want to try us, will discover our full determination and will bear the consequences."

The aid package for Sderot and Gaza-border towns includes the following:

* 20% tax credits up to NIS 227,640.

* A 30% discount on local taxes for residences and 24% for industry, business and services.

* Economic assistance to local councils for special expenditures stemming from the security situation: NIS 8 million for Sderot and NIS 5 million to be shared among the Eshkol, Ashkelon Coast, Sdot Negev and Shaar Hanegev regional councils.

* Psychological-social assistance for the population, at five locally-operated centers.

* Support for employment and in expanding industrial zones: 250 dunams (62 acres) for the Naam Industrial Zone and 300 dunams (planning and expansion) for the Sapirim Industrial Zone.

* Continued assistance in operating emergency medical centers: increasing the number of intensive care ambulances, operating a night medical switchboard, and reinforcing the mental health center in Sderot.

* Completing sewage infrastructures at an additional investment of NIS 55 million over the next two years.

* Extending the exemption from Israel Land Administration leasing fees for an additional year.